During this weeks Office Hours Jim, Josh and Dave talk about the never ending flow of non-emergency calls and how that can numb us as EMS providers. It’s important not get complacent and to properly assess each patient. However don’t you think that the crying wolf we deal with in EMS can easily make us fall into just what these patients sometimes perceive us as – A “taxi ride” to the hospital.

Is EMS the stepping stone to other professions? Do providers leave EMS to pursue better career options when they find so few in EMS. Sometimes its not about pay. Its can be about career movement, job satisfaction and options for the long haul. Are teaching and supervisory positions the only rungs in the ladder?

This week we had two guests join us from the EMS Flight and RN fields and the discussion went to everything from education and pay to what may be most important of all – action.

EMS airway assessment is drilled in to us from EMT school to recert classes like ACLS. But we know it all already so why keep harping on it? While it may take hours of classroom training and skills practice to learn airway assessment. You only have seconds in the field to decide how to manage a patients airway.

Deciding on using a BVM, KING airway or ETI depends on many things. You should be thinking about them as you approach your patients and during your
initial and on going EMS patient assessments.

This video drills home some more key points to think about during your airway assessment. Take a few minutes now to watch the video so you can
act in seconds later when your patient needs it.

Do you have some airway assessment tips? Post them below and be sure to like this video if you found it helpful.

The last Monday Minutes for 2013. I end the year with tips on staying focused, how it can help you and your patient. I also talk about how when you know “You have a job” staying on task is vital. Take a listen and let me know if you or your partners have been guilty of these distractions.

This week we talk about the part time EMS provider. The volunteer, the person who uses EMS as a part time income or because they enjoy the rush, the change from a desk job. Does this type of workforce help or hurt us as a profession? How does this demographic in EMS effect the supply and demand for employers?

How does this all translate to those of us who depend on EMS for our livelihood?

Take a listen as we are joined by guest David Brenner and leave your thoughts on our discussion in the comments below.

This week we give some teaser content on upcoming episodes and want your feedback, your talking points and your opinions on some popular EMS topics. We hope to get the dialogue started in October with topics like EMS pay, being a hobbyist or professional in the EMS world, cops giving Narcan and responsibilities shows and websites have when it comes to the perception of EMS to the masses.

Take a listen and leave your comments below, over on Facebook or send Jim an email. This show is about you the EMS professional and your thoughts, struggles and ideas as much as it is about our own.

You may have seen many times how EMS has an identity crisis. If you take a step back, it really is no wonder. It seems we are forever trying to come up with a name, what that name means and what anyone who holds that name can or can’t do.

Does it start at EMT and end with Community Paramedic? Ambulance driver or Nurse?

This week we ask the question “How can we decide on a name when we can’t decide on the job we want to do?”

Should we be sticking with what we know before trying to look at other things that may be mucking up the gears? Josh ponders “Maybe we should get under the nursing umbrella”.

Take a listen to this very lively episode and share what you think EMS should really be.

This weeks episode contained a few hot topics in EMS news, the standard of care and how merit badges play into it all. Plus the EMT and police issue in NYC AND we went off the rails a bit with a discussion on scene positioning and prior planning.

What Is Turbo Medic?

While this is not 100% EMS related I know that many EMS professionals rely on their computers. This valuable service is actually one I have been using and recommend as a reseller and an end user. Here’s why – Did you know that this year alone over 33% of people world wide will lose some […]

Need some free and quality continuing education? Bound Tree University is dedicated to the continuing education of EMTs and Paramedics. They offer a selection of online courses for EMS CEU. The courses are FREE and have been accredited by the Health & Safety Institute, a CECBEMS accredited organization. All courses are approved for Advanced Life Support […]

I thought this was a great video on cardiac output. Do you remember the last time a cardiac output question was on your paramedic exam? Ummmm how about EVERYTIME. I hope this video can trigger some ways to recall this content. It’s questions on topics like these that you should not give up on an […]